As New England prepares to face D.C.United on Saturday night, the Revs are bracing for a potential United backlash.
D.C. started its campaign with a 4-0 drubbing in Kansas Citylast weekend and should be eager to atone for the difficult defeat in front ofits home fans.
Revolution coach Steve Nicol said the inclination to expectan intense rebuttal from United doesn't necessarily comport with how teamsalways respond to heavy defeats.
“You don't know,” Nicol said. “It's entirely up to them. Itdepends on what type of characters they have in the team. Two things canhappen: you can either come out all guns blazing or you can be timid. We'rehoping they're timid.”
All hopes aside, Nicol pointed out the influence the tightconfines at CommunityAmerica Ballpark and the soggy weather had on the finaloutcome.
“Nobody likes to be beat 4-nil, but I don't think [Unitedcoach] Curt [Onalfo] should be overly worried about it,” Nicol said. “He knowswhat it's like on that field. He's been there. I'm shocked there's not moreresults like that [there].”
United isn't the only side involved in the match aching torespond after an opening day defeat. After falling to Los Angeles 1-0 at theHome Depot Center last Saturday, New England also faces some pressure to pickup a result to avoid two consecutive losses to start the campaign.
Revolution defender Cory Gibbs said he expects United tostorm out of the blocks on Saturday night but said his team was ready to riseto the occasion.
“The worst situation for us is that they did lose 4-0,”Gibbs said. “Now they're coming home and playing in a rough environment [forvisiting teams]. For us, we didn't get the three points also. It's going to bea dogfight. It's going to be a tough environment and a difficult game, but Ithink we're ready to match it.”
